Chief commends NAGRAT for ending strike action

Awutu-Mankessim, June 14, GNA - The Ankobeahene of the Awutu traditional area and 1994 second national best farmer, Nai Kwao Otuo v, has commended members of the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT) for their decision to call off their 37 day-old strike. The news of NAGRAT's long-awaiting decision incidentally coincided with the call on Nai Otuo at the weekend, by a group of affected secondary school students at his palace at Awutu Mankessim to discuss the issue.

Both the students and Nai Otuo received NAGRAT's decision with great joy when they heard the news on the air and hoped it would be a true story. Speaking later, Nai Otuo asked the government to let this year's industrial action by NAGRAT be the last, adding that frantic and sustained efforts must be made to secure a better and a lasting solution to the graduate teachers' problem once and for all. He maintained that teachers in general play a crucial role in the promotion of education in every nation and as such nothing should be made to compel them to withdraw their services at any given period.

While sympathizing with NAGRAT members about poor salaries and allowances, Nai Otuo expressed serious observations about the timing of their industrial action because the action had affected the academic goals of the children, particularly those who were about to write their final papers. He was hopeful that an amicable and concrete solutions could be found soon to strengthen their relations with the government and also enhance national development.

Nai Otuo admitted that the strike embarked upon by NAGRAT had not only affected the children involved, but their parents, guardians and the nation as a whole and further expressed the hope that such things would not happen again. He strongly advised all affected students, especially the final year SSS students to put aside the ordeal they went through during the strike and intensify their studies and prayers to enable them to achieve their goal.